Tuesday, 15 May 2012

CAL Episode 2: Head's up

Before we do, a little note about the pattern: It is intended for personal use only and the products made from it cannot be sold online or elsewhere.
('cos I'm selling them!)

Ok, no more waffle, let's just get started.
[Crochet Pro's- the pattern is written at the bottom of the post, so scroll on down to avoid all the photos]

This pattern is worked in rounds in a continuous spiral of stitches. You'll need your stitch marker to mark where you began each round, or it all gets crazy.

Stitches and abbreviations:
I use US crochet terms, so single crochet here is the SAME as UK double crochet.

Chain (ch)
Single crochet (sc)
Stitches (sts)
Decrease (dec)

In each round, I'll write the proper crochet instructions first (as it would appear in a pattern) and then explain what you need to do. At the end of each round, I'll tell you how many stitches you should have. (remember not to count the loop on your hook)

Ok. If you can do a magic ring (brillo- clever you) then you need to make 5 single crochets into it. Pull the tail a little, to close the ring. Don't over tighten it yet, or it becomes difficult to work the next round into.

If you can't do the magic ring method then chain 2 and make your 5 single crochets into the 2nd chain from the hook- see the arrow on the pic.

Round 2
2 sc in each sc (10 sts)

Now we need to increase the number of stitches:
Make 2 single crochets into the first single crochet from the first round.

Use your stitch marker (or a piece of different yarn) to show where the first stitch of this second round is.

Now do the same in each single crochet; making 2 single crochets into each.
You will have 10 stitches in all. (I find it easier to count backwards from the hook- remember not to count the loop on your hook, though).

Round 3
(1 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (15 sts)

Ok, in this round we need to make more increases, but not in every stitch. This time, in every 2nd stitch.
So make 1 single crochet in the first stitch (stitch marker in) and then make 2 single crochets in the following stitch.
Now repeat this pattern around, 1sc in next stitch, 2 scs in the following.. And so on.
You will have 15 stitches.

Round 4
(2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (20 sts)

This means, make 1 single crochet into the first stitch (stitch marker in). Make the 2nd single crochet into the next stitch and then make 2 single crochets into the 3rd stitch.
Repeat around. You will have 20 stitches.

Round 5
(3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (25 sts)

See the pattern?
Make a single crochet in the first stitch (stitch marker in), followed by 2 more. Then make 2 single crochets into the 4th stitch.
Repeat. You will have 25 stitches.

Round 6
(4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (30 sts)

I reckon you've got it sussed now.... (make 4 single crochets in the first 4 scs from the previous round and then 2 single crochets in the 5th and repeat)

Round 7
(5 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (35 sts)

Round 8
(6 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (40 sts)

Rounds 9-13
Sc 40

Ok, we've increased the width as much as we need to. You should have a dome shaped piece of crochet. (don't worry if it looks a little pointy, its shape will change once stuffed).

Now we need to lengthen the piece to create the 'face' bit:
You just need to make a single crochet in every stitch around.
Do this for the next 5 rows.
Remember to use your stitch marker so you know where each round has begun (although nothing bad will happen if you are a couple of stitches over or under).
[I also keep a tally so I know how many rows I have completed.]

Ok, now you should have a definite rounded shape. I always find that the 'outside' of my crochet is the wrong side; the right side is on the inside:

(wrong side)

(right side)

Here, the stitches are nicer looking and smoother too. See the difference? (we'll turn it out the right way in a bit.

Round 14
(6 sc, dec 1) repeat around (35 sts)

So now we need to decrease the number of stitches to complete the head.
Don't panic!!! T'is easy. We are just reversing the pattern.

Make 6 single crochets in the first 6 scs. (remember stitch marker).
Now complete 1 decrease (this means merging the next 2 single crochets into one stitch). Here's how:
Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop. ( You will have 2 loops on your hook)
Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up another loop. ( You will have 3 loops on your hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops together.

You have squished 2 single crochets into one. Decrease made!!

Round 15
(5 sc, dec 1) repeat around (30 sts)

Keep going with the same pattern.
Make 5 single crochets in the first 5 stitches (stitch marker), then make your decrease as before.

Round 16
(4 sc, dec 1) repeat around (25 sts)

Round 17
(3 sc, dec 1) repeat around (20 sts)

Phew!!
We're nearly there.

This is the time to turn your head out the 'right' way and decorate the face.

Add your safety eyes/ buttons and stitch noses and mouths using your embroidery threads. If you are making a felt face, like I did, then decorate this first and then stitch to your character's face.(I found it easier once the head had been stuffed a bit.)

Now stuff the head.
Think you've put in enough?
Add more.
It needs to be quite firm.

Now let's finish the head:

Round 18
(2 sc, dec 1) repeat around (15 sts)

Round 19
(1 sc, dec 1) repeat around (10 sts)

Round 20
(dec 1) repeat around (5 sts)

Yaaaaaaaaaaay!
You're done.

Now, DON'T cut off any yarn- we will be continuing from here in the next episode!
And PLEASE - ask me any questions and let me know if something seems wrong.

Do join our Flickr group and post your pics of your progress so far (click the CAL button over there on the right) and/or obviously you can blog it if you like!
Well done to you. And I'll see you in a week's time.

Now, DON'T cut off any yarn- we will be continuing from here in the next episode!
And PLEASE - ask me any questions and let me know if something seems wrong.

Do join our Flickr group and post your pics of your progress so far (click the CAL button over there on the right) and/or obviously you can blog it if you like!
Well done to you. And I'll see you in a week's time.

Fabulous instructions. Love how there is a picture and very detailed points. Now I know how to decrease yaay. Anyway, Have finished head, poor thing, I sewed it on a bit askew and he has a worried look about him.

One thing I do keep doing wrong is that every row I have two stitches over (every time), no idea why, I have been undoing them so I have the correct number of stitches so I guess that might make the whole thing a bit wonky! Also, he seems bigger than I thought he would be (I am using 5mm needles!).I love him though already. Hope we are doing ears next as he looks like an owl at the moment. Sorry to waffle so much. Am off to post picture on Flickr. Thanks Annaboo, you are a star * x

THANK YOU!!!!! What super-duper, easy to follow instructions! I'm really doing it!!! :-)I'm up to the bit where I need to make the monkey's face, and I'm more worried about that than I have been about the crocheting!I'm enjoying this sooooo much! Thanks for persuading me to join in!Hugs,Carlyx

I have now made a dolls face using a smaller needle. It is dinky in comparison to my fat monkey head. I have added photos tothe Flickr so you can see. Don't know if I have done something wrong as they are not appearing on there. Instructions worked even better second time round. Feel so much more confident now. Thank you x